Women's Basketball can't calm Storm

PHOENIX, Ariz. - The University of Dallas women's basketball team (4-6) was defeated 80-46 by Simpson College during the Grand Canyon Classic on Wednesday afternoon. 

Amid several early Dallas turnovers, the Storm were able to reach an 8-0 advantage out of the gate.

Cara Sczepanski (Highland Village, Texas/Marcus H.S.) put Dallas on the board for the first time, at 16:24, after grabbing an offensive rebound and composing herself in the paint for the score. The senior forward, in 24 minutes of play, finished tied for a game-high 11 points with teammate Joirdan Cole (Plano, Texas/Bishop Lynch H.S.). 

Dallas climbed back to within four points at the 13:47 minute mark of the first half when Cole hit a jumper. From this point, however, it was tough sledding for the Lady Crusaders, as a 19-1 run put Simpson up 35-10 late into the half. Dallas shot 7-of-31 (22.6 percent) in the opening period, and thus went into the locker room, at the break, trailing 44-20. 

Though Dallas improved their shooting in the second half -- 12-of-37 from the field (32.4 percent) -- the Storm never backed off the throttle, finishing with a 40.2 shooting percentage for the game. 

With 5:37 remaining in the contest, Simpson took a commanding 39 point lead. A key to their success on the day was a 60-46 edge in rebounding and a 25-11 advantage in steals. 

Additionally, 15 players checked into the game for the Storm, whereas ten saw playing time for Dallas. It was scoring by committee for Simpson, as the Storm had 13 players contribute points. 

Dallas will compete in the Grand Canyon Classic's consolation game against Eastern Connecticut State University at 10:00 a.m. MST/11 a.m. CST on Thursday.